Vol. 79 Issue 36 | Week of September 6-12, 2021 |
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Worship on Sunday, September 12, 2021: Deacon Ordination |
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We will worship together in person and online this Sunday, September 12. Dr. Foust will offer a message called, "Vitamin-T: A World in Need of a Hug," based on Matthew 8:1-4. During worship, we will celebrate the ordination of five new deacons: Becky Benton, Whitney Crowder, Jane Starnes, Kevin Turner, and Chip Wilson. |
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We need your help!
Prior to worship on Sunday morning, please spend a few moments writing a note of encouragement or a prayer for each of these five new deacons. Because we cannot lay hands due to COVID-19, these notes will be a special source of love and encouragement. On Sunday, each of these new deacons will have a basket in which you can drop your notes during the service. If you cannot be there to give a note on Sunday and want to mail a note, please contact Mallory in the office for their physical addresses.
We hope you will join us online as we gather in person and stream the service on Facebook and YouTube starting at 10:30am. The stream and worship guide links will be sent out via email on Sunday morning.
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2021 Global Missions Offering
- Nyarweng Primary School, South Sudan (Goal - $20,000)
- National Cooperative Baptist Fellowship – COVID-19 Vaccines to Developing Nations (Goal - $2,500)
- Refugee Resettlement Housing Support (Goal - $2,500)
Our goal for this year’s Global Missions Offering is $25,000.
In addition to schooling, the Nyarweng Primary School in South Sudan also serves as a community center and house of worship. Our gifts to this school go toward paying each teacher’s salary for this school year.
National Cooperative Baptist Fellowship health and medical partners are now able to take the COVID-19 vaccine to people groups in developing nations. We have committed to supporting this effort.
The Carolina Refugee Resettlement Agency has informed our Immigrant and Refugees Ministry Group that approximately 100 Afghan refugees will be coming to Charlotte. Therefore, our Mission Resource Team has added refugee housing support to this year’s Global Missions Offering. Every dollar received over and above $22,500 will go to refugee resettlement support.
Will you give to our 2021 Global Missions Offering? Click below to give!
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An Update on Our Church Staff
Over recent weeks, we have been including articles updating you on various areas of congregational life and ministries. These updates will continue through September.
As we move past Labor Day, our church staff returns to regular office hours: 8:30 to 4:30 (M-Th) and 8:30 to 2:30 (F). They are excited to be back together again in person!
Our Personnel Resource Team has been actively faithful during the pandemic supporting and affirming shifts in staff roles. Click here or below to read updates about our church staff and their roles as we move forward.
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Starting this Sunday, Sunday School check-in will be available at the Main Entrance Lobby, Broach Hall Lobby, and in the hallway under the Sanctuary. There will no longer be a check-in kiosk outside the Broach Hall wing elevator on the Main Level (2). We encourage all persons to check-in at a kiosk or via the Realm Connect App on a mobile device upon arrival on campus.
Thank you!
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Housing Needed for Afghan Refugees
We have learned through Dan Biber, who is part of our church family and who volunteers with Carolina Refugee Resettlement Agency, that CRRA is expecting a large number of Afghan refugees to arrive in Charlotte within the next few weeks. CRRA is one of two agencies in Charlotte whose mission is to provide housing, food, employment, and other services necessary for welcoming and supporting newly arrived refugees. The most critical need at this time is housing for refugee families when they arrive.
Because of the lack of affordable housing in Charlotte, CRRA may need to place some newly arrived families in temporary housing until more long-term housing can be located. CCRA staff is asking the community to become creative and help with finding temporary housing possibilities.
Anyone with possible options for providing temporary housing for a refugee family is asked to contact the CRRA Volunteer and Donations Coordinator at madeline.nichols@carolinarefugee.org with your ideas or leads.
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Community Cues: Conversations Inspired by the Stage
Earlier this month, Kevin Gray had a conversation with Dawn Anthony, the Community Impact Manager for the Blumenthal Performing Arts Center. Dawn and her team at the Blumenthal are hosting community conversations called Community Cues around major social issues utilizing the shows that are being presented in their theater.
Each Community Cue seeks to elicit impactful conversation from show attendees featuring local experts, teaching artists, or members of the cast, crew, and creative team from the given show.
This fall, there are TWO shows coming up that open the door for these community conversations.
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Wicked- September 6-October 3, Ovens Auditorium
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Rent- November 9-14, Belk Theater
In the days prior to or following the show, people interested in engaging in a Community Cue related to one of these shows will gather at a location in Charlotte, such as St. John's, to discuss the issues and themes that are relevant in a safe forum.
Are you interested in attending Wicked or Rent and participating in a Community Cue?
Contact Kevin Gray and Mallory Brown to express your interest in attending a show as a group (special rates available) and a Community Cue conversation.
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Sandwich Ministry: Could you help?
Throughout most of the pandemic, individuals at St. John's made sandwiches and bagged lunches from home for Roof Above. At this time, this ministry is transitioning to making sandwiches together, with face coverings, at the church to deliver to Roof Above.
We need your help with supplies for the 200 sandwiches we have agreed to make every month!
On the third Sunday of the month, starting this September, we need one person to bring 200 slices of THICK CUT BOLOGNA and one person to bring 200 slices of cheese (NOT INDIVIDUALLY WRAPPED) to the 2nd-floor parlor kitchen refrigerator.
Reimbursement IS available! It has been noted by this group that Walmart is the most cost-effective store to purchase these items.
Sign up below! Contact Jane Starnes at 704-535-0839 with any questions.
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Backpack Packing for Highland Renaissance Academy
Help provide weekend food for students in need at Highland Renaissance Academy!
How can I help?
- 2 volunteers to spend 30-45 minutes 1x per month on the FIRST AND SECOND weeks of each month packing 15 backpacks for students at Highland Renaissance Academy
- 1 back up volunteer driver to deliver the backpacks on Thursdays or Fridays in case Nina and Carl Phillips (our regular drivers) are unavailable
If you’re interested in volunteering for this wonderful mission to feed the children as we begin after losing a year, please email Jamie Loftis at jamieloftis@gmail.com or call her at 704-904-1951.
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Prayer Concerns, Celebrations, Thanks & Sympathy |
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Andrew Adair, Carol Drye, Betty Fuller, Polly Hull, John Owens, Tish Philemon,
Gene & Carol Poole, Don Swofford, Elma Thomas
Prayers for our world, especially those living in the wake of hurricanes, earthquakes, fires, COVID-19, and global conflicts
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Financial Ministry Plan Report
Week of August 31-September 7 : $8,749
Income through September 7: $742,293
Annual 2021 Ministry Plan Budget Goal: $1,175,000
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You can make contributions, view your giving history and pledge status, as well as update your pledge and giving information anytime by accessing your personal Realm profile online or via the Connect App. |
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Ministers On-Call Schedule
September 6-12: Allison Benfield
September 13-19: Lee Gray
September 20-26: Kevin Gray
Staff Contact Information
Lee Gray - 704-451-1309 (cell); 704-333-5428, ext. 15
Nate Dove - 704-662-2154 (cell); 704-333-5428, ext. 13
Kevin Gray - 803-524-0287 (cell); 704-333-5428, ext. 14
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